Life of Venerable Sister Margaret Bourgeois | Page 2

adhered to as far as possible--one or two remarks at the close being the only additions. So if any defects exist in the work they belong solely to the translator, whose aim has not been rhetorical composition, but the greater glory of God. And if but one heart be won more closely to the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ by its perusal, she will be amply repaid, and prays that the blessing of the Sacred Heart of Jesus may be given to her humble effort to advance His honor and glory.
Respectfully, THE AUTHORESS.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE DISCOVERY OF CANADA AND COLONIZATION OF MONTREAL.
CHAPTER II.
MESSRS. DAUVERSIERE AND DE MAISONNEUVE VISIT MONTREAL
CHAPTER III.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOTEL DIEU--ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS FOR CANADA, ETC.
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY YEARS OF MARGARET BOURGEOIS AND HER VOCATION FOR THE CANADIAN MISSION
CHAPTER V.
MARGARET BOURGEOIS, AFTER MANY TRIALS AND MORTIFICATIONS, AT LENGTH SAILS WITH M. DE MAISONNEUVE FOR CANADA
CHAPTER VI.
SISTER BOURGEOIS'S ARRIVAL IN CANADA
CHAPTER VII.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SISTERS OF THE CONGREGATION OF NOTRE DAME AT VILLE-MARIE
CHAPTER VIII.
M. FRANCOIS DE LAVAL DE MONTMORENCI IS APPOINTED FIRST BISHOP OF CANADA--SISTER BOURGEOIS SUCCEEDS IN BUILDING THE CHURCH OF NOTRE DAME
CHAPTER IX.
THE RULES OF THE CONGREGATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MISSIONS
CHAPTER X.
THE PRIVATE AND SOCIAL VIRTUES OF SISTER BOURGEOIS
CHAPTER XI.
SISTER BOURGEOIS'S HAPPY DEATH AND THE WONDERS THAT FOLLOWED IT
CHAPTER XII.
THE EXCELLENCE OF HER INSTITUTES, HER MAXIMS, INSTITUTIONS, ETC.
CHAPTER XIII.
A RECAPITULATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF THE LIFE OF SISTER BOURGEOIS
CONCLUSION

LIFE OF THE VENERABLE SISTER MARGARET BOURGEOIS.
* * * * *
CHAPTER I.
THE DISCOVERY OF CANADA AND COLONIZATION OF MONTREAL.
Every one knows that America is called the New World because, until the close of the 15th century, it was unknown to the other nations of the earth--at least it was then unknown to Europe. Until quite near the end of that century, Canada was absolutely a terra incognita--being one vast forest, inhabited only by the red man, and by beasts as wild and untamable as he. In the year 1534, James Cartier, a skilful navigator, being provided with a commission from the King of France, set sail from St. Malo, with two ships of sixty tons burden, carrying one hundred and twenty-two well-equipped seamen, in order to reconnoitre that part of the New World. Cartier's first voyage was quite successful. He discovered Canada and took possession of it, in the name of the French King. Having made his observations from the different posts which surround the Gulf that receives into its bosom the waters of the great river of Canada, since called the St. Lawrence, he conversed as well as he could with the savages, whenever an opportunity offered, in order to study their characters, and thought he occasionally discovered in them dispositions favorable to Christianity.
This led him to hope that the King would form a colony in the country, that might be equally useful to commerce and religion. He accordingly returned to France, to acquaint his sovereign with his projects and the success of the expedition that inspired them.
His plans met with a very favorable reception, and were immediately acted upon. The following year he received a new commission from the King and three well-appointed ships, several Breton gentlemen at the same time volunteering to accompany him. They left the port of St. Malo on the 3rd of May, but did not arrive at the Canadian Gulf until the 10th of August. This being the festival of St. Lawrence, they called the Gulf by the Saint's name, in thanksgiving for their safe arrival. Having entered the river with his little fleet, he sailed as far as the Jacques Cartier River, so named in his honor. Here they landed, and tradition says, he lost one of his ships at this place, although his biographers make no mention of the occurrence. Perhaps the vessel was stranded, and therefore became useless. But whatever accident happened, it did not cool his enterprising spirit in the least, nor prevent him from ascending the river as high as the Isle of Fochelagu (the present city of Montreal), which was described to him as a delightful place by the savages he met along his route. At Lake St. Pierre, three leagues above Three Rivers, he failed to procure material to repair his ships, and was compelled to leave them there. However, he manned two shallops and embarked on them with the bravest of his volunteers, arriving safely at Fochelagu on the 2d of October. Here he found a village of savages at the foot of a mountain (the site of the City of Montreal is a little to the right of that old Indian village), who received him very kindly--and he completely gained their friendship by making them various little presents. He was enchanted by the situation of the island, and surprised and dazzled by the beauty of the scene that presented itself to his view.